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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Pizza Dip

    Published: Oct 28, 2021 · Modified: Dec 28, 2022 by Amanda · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

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    Jump to Recipe
    person holding pizza dip with pepperoni
    hand holding breadstick dipped in pizza dip with cheese stringing from it

    This hot baked pizza dip recipe is the best appetizer! Made with ricotta cheese, cream cheese and mozzarella cheese, this easy layered dip is perfect for game day, a holiday party or family get together.

    hand holding breadstick that has been dipped in pizza dip below with cheese stringing from it

    This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for content.

    Ooey and gooey, this cheesy pizza dip with pepperoni is a fun snack or appetizer with delicious flavor. I like serving it as an appetizer for halloween, super bowl or just a fun Friday movie night with friends.

    It is a huge hit with my kids and the perfect appetizer served with chili, italian pesto bread, chicken wings or spinach fettuccine.

    Jump to:
    • 🍕 Ingredient notes
    • 📋 Substitutions and variations
    • 🔪 Step by step instructions
    • ⭐ Expert tips
    • ⏲️ Make ahead instructions
    • 🥡 Storage suggestions
    • 🍕 More pizza recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍕 Ingredient notes

    mozzarella, ricotta, cream cheese, marinara, breadsticks, garlic knots, pepperoni, garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt and pepper
    • Cheese - I recommend using full fat versions of all of the cheeses for this easy dip. Low fat or non fat varieties tend to have more moisture in them and so the dip may not melt together as well.
    • Sauce - I typically have a batch or two of my old school italian gravy in the freezer for this cheesy dip. Your favorite store bought marinara sauce or pizza sauce can also be used.
    • Pepperoni - You can either slice or own or get pre-sliced pepperoni. Mini pepperonis could also be used.
    • Bread - Breadsticks or garlic knots are my favorite thing to serve with this dip. Garlic bread, crackers, pita chips or bagel chips would also be good with it.

    📋 Substitutions and variations

    • Vegetarian - Omit the pepperoni for a vegetarian pizza dip.
    • White Pizza - Replace the marinara with alfredo sauce for a white pizza dip.
    • Toppings - Swap out the pepperoni for your favorite pizza toppings, such as mild or spicy sausage, black olives, green peppers, ham or pineapple.
    • Cheese - Want extra cheese? Try adding smoked provolone, parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese to the cheese filling or on top.
    • Spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes with the cheese filling to zest this dip up a bit.

    🔪 Step by step instructions

    First, mix together the ricotta cheese, cream cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese in a medium bowl. Add in the seasonings and mix everything together until the spices are evenly incorporated throughout the cheese mixture.

    wooden spoon mixing cheeses in a bowl and hand pouring spices in cheese mixture in bowl

    Grease a baking dish, pie plate or cast iron skillet with cooking spray. Spread the cream cheese mixture in an even layer and then spread the marinara or pizza sauce on top of it.

    wooden spoon spreading cheese mixture in a dish and spreading marinara on top of cheese filling

    Sprinkle the marinara with the remaining mozzarella cheese and then layer on the slices of pepperoni. Bake the dip in a 375˚ oven for about 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly!

    shredded cheese and pepperoni slices on dip in a dish and person holding baked pepperoni pizza dip

    Serve the hot baked pizza dip with your favorite breadsticks, garlic knots or toasted baguette slices!

    cheesy baked pizza dip topped with pepperoni in a dish next to breadsticks and garlic knots

    If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.


    ⭐ Expert tips

    • Don't forget to split the mozzarella cheese. Half of it gets mixed with the other cheeses and spices and then the other half gets sprinkled on top.
    • For best results, bring the cream cheese to room temperature or make sure it is at least softened. This will help it to easily mix together with the other cheeses. If you forget, you can always use a hand mixer to easily blend everything together.
    • When choosing bread or crackers for this dip, try to use larger or sturdier pieces that won't break apart easily when dipped.

    ⏲️ Make ahead instructions

    The pizza dip can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before baking time. Remove it from the refrigerator and allow to sit out a room temperature while the oven preheats and then bake as directed. Cooking temperatures may be a bit longer, so look for the cheese to be melted and bubbly around the edges.

    🥡 Storage suggestions

    Leftover pizza dip can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. The dip can be reheated in the oven or microwave until warm and melty.

    For a quick overview of this recipe, check out my web story for this hot baked pizza dip with pepperoni!

    🍕 More pizza recipes

    If you loved this easy pizza dip recipe, check out these other delicious pizza recipes that I know you will love too!

    • Pizza Bread
    • Cast Iron Pizza
    • Italian Flatbread Pizzas
    • Pizza Grilled Cheese

    Don't Forget! If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.


    📖 Recipe

    baked cheesy pizza dip topped with pepperoni slices next to soft breadsticks

    Pizza Dip with Ricotta Cheese

    Amanda
    This hot baked pizza dip recipe is the best appetizer! Made with ricotta cheese, cream cheese and mozzarella cheese, this easy layered dip is perfect for game day, a holiday party or family get together.
    5 from 39 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 226 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
    • 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese divided
    • 1 Tablespoon italian seasoning
    • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 cup italian gravy or pizza sauce
    • 2 ounces pepperoni sliced
    • breadsticks, garlic knots or toasted baguette slices

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 375° and grease a shallow baking dish or pie plate with baking spray or butter.
    • In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese and mix together.
    • Add in italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper and stir everything together so the seasonings and cheese are well incorporated.
    • Spread the cheese mixture evenly into the prepared dish and top with the italian gravy. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and top with pepperoni slices.
    • Bake the pizza dip in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the dip is bubbly.
    • Serve dip with breadsticks, toasted baguette slices or crackers.

    Notes

    This recipe yields approximately 3 cups of dip or 8-10 servings
    • Use full fat versions of all of the cheeses for best results. 
    • Don't forget to split the mozzarella cheese. Half goes in the filling and the other half goes on top. 
    • Bring the cream cheese to room temperature for easy mixing.
    • Use larger or sturdier pieces of bread or crackers for dipping so they don't break apart easily when dipped.
     

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Vegetarian - Omit the pepperoni slices.
    • White Pizza - Replace the marinara with alfredo sauce.
    • Toppings - Add sausage, black olives, ham, peppers or pineapple.
    • More Cheese - Add smoked provolone, parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese.
    • Sauce - Use homemade sauce, store bought marinara or pizza sauce can be used.
     

    Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

    The dip can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. After assembling it, wrap it in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before baking time. Remove it from the refrigerator and allow to sit out a room temperature while the oven preheats and then bake as directed. Cooking temperatures may be longer, so just look for the cheese to be melted and bubbly around the edges.
    Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. The dip can be reheated in the oven or microwave until warm and melty. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.333cupCalories: 226kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 11gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 581mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 682IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 201mgIron: 1mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @SaporitoKitchen or tag #SaporitoKitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tricia

      February 17, 2022 at 6:42 pm

      Is garlic salt more potent than garlic powder? I put in a Tablespoon of garlic salt and it was super salty.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        February 18, 2022 at 11:25 am

        Yes, garlic powder is just ground up dehydrated garlic, whereas garlic salt is typically 3 parts salt and 1 part ground up garlic.

        Reply
    2. Valerie

      December 10, 2021 at 9:42 am

      Would fresh mozzarella work with this? It looks so good!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        December 10, 2021 at 10:41 am

        Yes, absolutely. I would chop it into smaller pieces for the filling part and then you can put some slices on top as well!

        Reply
    3. Jeri

      October 29, 2021 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      This dip was amazing, better than anything I ever had in any restaurant! My whole family loved it!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 29, 2021 at 3:52 pm

        Thank you Jeri, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Jessica

      October 29, 2021 at 7:50 am

      This dip will be perfect for our Halloween celebration this Sunday - we always do a bunch of snacks and appetizers. My kids are going to love it and so will I. The gooey cheese looks absolutely irresistible. *drooling*

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 29, 2021 at 10:19 am

        Awesome, it's great for Halloween - can wait to hear how it turns out!

        Reply
    5. Lillian

      October 29, 2021 at 7:48 am

      5 stars
      This is a perfect snack for our Friday nights! It's so good!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 29, 2021 at 10:19 am

        Agreed, thanks Lillian!

        Reply
    6. Oscar

      October 28, 2021 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      Love all the ingredients in this recipe. This pizza dip looks amazing. Can't wait to make it this weekend.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 29, 2021 at 10:19 am

        Thanks Oscar, let me know how it turned out!

        Reply
    7. Brittany Fiero

      October 28, 2021 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      I could eat this every day! It’s a great dish to serve when entertaining too!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 29, 2021 at 10:20 am

        Haha, me too! thank you!

        Reply
    8. Jean

      October 28, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a treat and perfect for our movie nights!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 29, 2021 at 10:20 am

        Great idea!

        Reply
    9. Agnieszka

      October 28, 2021 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this idea! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 28, 2021 at 4:05 pm

        You're welcome, enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Alexandra

      October 28, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      This dip is so delicious - so tasty and perfect for entertaining.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 28, 2021 at 3:28 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    11. Kayla DiMaggio

      October 28, 2021 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      This pizza dip is amazing! I can't get enough of this! So delicious!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 28, 2021 at 1:17 pm

        Thanks you for trying the recipe, I'm so glad you enjoyed it

        Reply
    12. Makhaya

      October 28, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      Ok this dip looks DIVINE!! Definitely making this. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        October 28, 2021 at 1:17 pm

        It's soooo good. Let me know how it turns out for you!

        Reply
    13. YtheWait

      October 30, 2020 at 1:37 am

      Love Pizza!!!!!!!!!

      Reply
      • Amanda | Saporito Kitchen

        October 31, 2020 at 2:09 pm

        Sooooo goood 🙂

        Reply

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